Power transmission mechanism



AJuly 7, 1936.

E. T. sHAw PO/WERL TRANSMISSION MECHANISM Fild Fabi 18, 1935 July 7, 1936. A T. SHAW 2,046,346

POWER TRANSMISSION MECIANISMv -Filed Feb. la, 1955 4 sheets-sheet 2 July 7, 1936. E T. SHAW POWER TRANSMISSION MEcHANrsM Filed Feb. 1e, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 7, 1936. E, T. SHAW 2,046,346

' FOWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM v Filed Feh. 18, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ticularly applicable to use in automotive vehicles Patented July 7,l 1936 UNITED S'IA'IsA PlrrEN'r oFFlcE 30 Claims. '(Cl. 'I4-260) The present invention relates to mechanism including a torque 'converter-for the transmission of power from one rotary element to another. The mechanism of the invention is parbut is not limited in this respect and may be favorably used whereverA power is to be applied under variable conditions of load and speed.

While the invention may be practiced with the use of torque converters of various types, I prefer to use such an element of the'centrifugal type due to its ready adaptability and compactness. I have accordingly shown such devices in the accompanying drawings with reference to which'the invention will be described, this disclosure to beA taken as merely illustrative of a general conception susceptible of variedembodiment so far as the transmission system as a whole is concerned. Specifically, however, the invention also includes torque converters per se.

This application is a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 606,989, led April 22, 1932. v Inthe drawings, l

Figure 1 is a sectional view of the mechanism of the invention shown connected between, an engine drive shaft and a driven shaft:

Figure 2 is a section online 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is avsection on line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an axial section of a modified formv -of appmatus; i

Figure 5 is a transverse section of the apparatus of Figure 4."

Figure 6 is a partial axial section of the apparatus oi'Figure 1 modified by the inclusion of an overrunning clutch; and

Figures 7 and 8 are diagrams is analysis of the type of torque converter hereinspeciflcally disclosed.

Referring to the drawings, reference .numeral `III designates an engine flywheel fixed on an .engine drive shaft I3, the end of the latter passing through an aperture in a plate I| and being supported by a ball bearing assembly* Il carried by the plate. A sleeve l2 surrounds the drive shaft between the ywheel III .and plate II'and 'is secured vto lthe latter through a radially flanged portion I2 which abuts the outer 4race of the bearing assembly to assist in positioning the same. Suitable packing is provided as at I5. On its side 'opposite the flywheel the. plate II is provided with an annular shoulder I6 coneentric with shaft I3, the shoulder constituting positioning means for a cylindrical housing ele- 4ment j|1, the other end of which is closed by a an integral sleeve s1 journaied in a'bau bearing plate I8 parallel to plate and provided with a rib I9 engaging the inner marginal portion of element I1. These pafrts are suitably bolted together to provide a rigid unit. A driven shaft 20 is supported by a ball bearing assembly 2|, mounted as willrbe later described, the rear end of the shaft extending through an' aperture provided in a boss 22 ofcover plate I8, the rear end of shaft I3 being bored and counter-bored so as to accommodate'the forward end o! shaft 20 in a ball bearing assembly 23, the-shafts being in alignment. n

'Ihe end of shaft I3 is also radially expanded to provide a iiangel 24.` Bolted to flange 24 adjacent its outer edge by means of spacerv bolts 26 is a ring 25, Figures 1 and 3. At one hundred and twenty degree intervals the ring and flange are provided with aligned bores parallelto shaft I3, the bores receiving hollow shafts 21 on the lintermediate portions of which, between the ange and ring, are mounted planet pinions 28. Locking pins 29 are threaded in radial bores in ring 25, the lower ends of the pins passing through bores in shafts 21 so as to retain the shafts in position. Cotter pins as at 30 are passed through the inner ends oi' pins 29 within the shafts to secure the pins against loss.

Rotatable within the housing deflnedby plates II-Iand I3 and cylindrical element I1 is a centrifusal cage or housing designated generally by the reference numeral 3|. The cagel 3| comprises spaced end plates, 32 and 33 between which is clamped a cylindrical peripheralwall element 34 'by means of bolts as at 35. VWall 32 is provided with a suitable seat for a ball bearing assembly y38 by which it is supported on the end of shaft I3 behind ange 2| and in spaced relation thereto. Wall 33 is recessed to provide a seat for the ball bearing assembly 2| and has assembly 38 seated in a recess'in boss 22. the outer end of the sleeve projecting through the boss aperture. Suitable clearance is provided between shaft 23 and the inner surface of the sleeve.

Riveted to a flange portion 33 of plate -32"'is` an externally toothed ring gear CII which constitutes a sun gear engaging the planet pinions 28. A plate or web 4I having a hub portion xed on shaft 20 .supports an internally toothed ring gear l2 constituting an orbit gear engaging the planetl-pinions 23.

An annular plate 43 is disposed within the cage 3| between plate or web 4I and end plate4 auf this angle of rotation may beeightyy degrees.

zoA

'33 In circiunferential ,contact with the inner surface of cylindrical element Il andflxed to the latter in radial relation to shaft 2o. The annulus Il and end plate 33 are provided at sixty degree intervals, as here shown, with aligned bores in which are received shafts 44 secured in position by means of locking pinsl I5. Rotatable on shafts M between the supporting elements are vplanet pinions 40 to II, the pinionsA as here shown having eccentric segment shaped weights 52V to 51 formed integrally therewith.- Referring particularly to Figiue 2, it will be that the diametrically opposed pairs of weights are in opposite angular relation to their respective axes. That is to say, assuming that weight 54,' for example, is

in a positionat. ninety degrees to the vertical, weight 51 is at two hundred and seventy degrees to the vertical. Bo vfar as the centrifugal cycles of the opposite weights are concerned, however, the weights are in equiphase relation and their effects are cumulative. On the other hand, the various pairs of weights are in what may be termed vari-phase relation to each other as regards their centrifugal cycles. As-'shown in rigore 2, weights sz and ss are assumed te l be moving inwardly, weights sa and ss are in advance of the angular positions of weights 52 -and 55 relative to their axes. and weights 54 and 51 are at vmaximum projection. The- -witn shea za connected te e. load et stanostm,

planets 2B will travel varound orbit gear l2,

which is xed to Shaft 20, and' will thereby rotate gear Ily and'therewith the entire cage.

3|. Preferably gear has at least twice as many teeth as gear I0, b'ut the ratiol may be varied as conditions may require Assuming gear l2 to have exactly twice the number of teeth of gear III; it will be evident that the latter will be rotated at three times the speed of drive shaft I3. It is evident that through the described gearing, thev starting torque exerted by the centrifugal cage and weights .is nine times as much as it would be if it were running at engine speed. High cage speed and augmented centrifugal effect are thus secured at low drive'speeds and without racing vthe j power device which drives shaft Il.

Under the Vconditions above gear 5I is also at standstill, being keyed to shaft 20,

and( consequently, as the cage JI revolves,` pinions 46 to 5I are caused to travel aroundy gear 58, thus imparting rapid rotation to the weights 52jto 51. Assuminggear 58 to have forty-five teeth, and -have fteen, it follows that the weights complete three revolutions about their axes for each revolution of cage 3|. Inasmuch as" the cage rotates at three times the speed of shaft I3, the weights will revolve at nine' times the speed of the latter. Y

A certain` angular rotation of the centrifugal' cage would be necessary to project the weights byl centrifugal force from inward radial position to outward radialy positions regardless of the speed vof rotation of the cage. In a given case,

the meshing pinions toi Thus, considering the weights to be free swinging and not connected by means of pinions to gear' y 5l. theyv would naturally move under. centrifugal force from their inwardly extending radial positions to their outward radial positions in an eighty degree movement of the cage. Assuming now that the' pinions, through engagement with gear 50 tend to swing the' weights faster than their normal centrifugal throw, vthe pinions will exert a drag on gear 58 as they 'move from inner to outer positions. This drag is greatly increased as the weights are forced to move inwardly, and as the speed of the drive shaft I l is increased, the reaction of the vpinions becomes suillcient to initiate rotation of gear Il to move the load.

" As the speed of rotation' of gear '58 approaches that of the cage, decelerated rotation of the weights ensues so that eventually the swinging tendency exerted by the pinions on the weights 20 'as they move from inner to outer positions', acts at a speed less than the speed' of vnormal centrifugal swing of the weights so that a slight reversetendency is lexerted on gearA 58. It is for the purpose of overcoming this reverse 25w tendency and. out torque pulsations that' a plurality of weights in vari-phase relation are used. I v

Referring@ Figure 2, weights 54 and 51v have just reached their positions of maximum pro-" jectiqn and in moving to such positions may be lassumedlto have exerted a reverse ei'l'ect on' gear. 58. Weights Il and 58,. however, havebeen moving inwardly and their reaction on gear 50 has overbalancedthev reverse effect. of 85 weights 54 and Il so that reaction on gear. in the drivin,f direction has been maintained.' Weightst! and 5l have atorded `a cumulative s driving eil'ort.

As the speeds of the cage and driven shaft o approach uniformity, the travel of the weights approaches zero, and for each individual weight, thecentrifugal force working in reverse while moving outward with the centrifugal force of the weight while moving inward. 45

The acceleration forces on the weights, due to change in motion,'appro ach zero' and become negligible. On the other hand.l there is no" advantage' in operating through a transmission with a driven shaft speed above 10%' of engine 50 speed. and while lthe ontorque curve would not be suillcient, between the 75% speed point and the speed point, to acceleratea heavy load up to the 100% poin't, a momentary interruption o r reduction of power atthey drive 55 end will result in a rapid automatic adjustment of the speed of the three elements, drive shaft, driven .Shaft and cage. to uniformity;' and the` unbalanced torque pattern of the weight; ar-

A rangement will, when' properly udiustedV in as- 00 sembly, hold4 the three elements in uniform speed under anyconditions where this may he desirable. When engine torque and required driving torque for the lead come to a balance, shafts I3 and 20 are locked fora direct drive and will 65 remain so unless engine torque or loadlis relatively rapidly varied. In the locked position of parts which gives maximum lock-in torque two of the sets of weights may be conceived as being in mutually balancing relation, while the 70 weights of the third'set are more or less projected and on the Vmoving-in side of their cycle.

In the absence of some change lin relation bev tween torque and load, the centrifugal force ofthese unbalanced weights will be suillcient to 75 is attained up to a position where the lock-in a relation of the parts is preferable. The variphase relation of the weights affords the smooth differential shaft s peeds'while the unbalanced relation of the weights enables lock-in relation to be achieved.

The pairs of weights are used for the sake of balance, and while three pairs have been shown as being the most desirable arrangement in a relatively confined space, this number can be varied as desired. Further, the centrifugal device as a whole could be duplicated as many times as desired withthe weights of each circumferentially staggered relative tothe weights of the otheror others so that the power impulses would be multiplied.

From the above description, it will be seen that a divided drive is provided lfrom the differential assembly specifically constituted by the sun, planet and orbit gearing and that this divided drive is transmitted to the driven shaft through two mutually reactive trains of which one includes the torque converter constituted by the centrifugal device 3l. The diierential assembly not only constitutes the means for dividing the drive, but also a means for multiplying the speed of the centrifugal device relative i to the speed of the drive shaft and more markedly increasing the differential in speed between 'the centrifugal cage and the driven shaft.

. Preferably formed integrally with `plate I 8 and outwardlythereof is a walled chamber 53 constituting a lubricant reservoir in communicatio'n with the interior of housing I1 through a duct 88 immediately below bearing assembly 2|. Adjacent plate I8, plate 33 isprovided with a laterally open annular groove 6I concentric 5 with respect to shaft 20 and opposite the end of duct lill,l the groove being partially closed by an inwardly extending radial flange 62 surrounding which is an annular guard rib 63 formed on the inside of plate I8. Duets 84 forme'd in plate 33 communicate groove 8| with the region of meshing of gear 58 and'its associated pinions. The pinions have longitudinally grooved bearing surfaces communicating with the` exterior of the pinions through passages 65.

,5 In this manner, lubricant entering groove 8| from' the reservoir through'the somewhat inclined passages 64)to effectively lubricate the gear teeth as well as.

the pinion bearings. 'Excess lubricant forms a4 0 centrifugally sustained `stratum between elements 33 and.43 and on the inside surface of cylindrical element 34, this A'stratum having a depth equal to the radial dimension of -ring 43 and thus' being sufficiently thick to be intercepted by the weights in their rotation. With the weights rotating -at high speed, the lubricant is caused to conform more or less to their lpaths. At slower speeds, however, the lubricant will be engaged by the weights during their out- 0 ward movement to exert' a retarding effect thereon and thus increase their'driving reaction on gear 58. l

Lubricant escaping over ring 43 passes [through apertures 88 in web 4I, being guided' '-5 thereto by an annular rib 81 on theweb, the1 is centrifugally urged outer edge 'of this rib entering' to a slight extent an annular groove formed in ring 43. Lubricant passing through aperture 881s thrown outwardly and is guided across the teeth of gear 42 to lubricate the latter and consequently the teeth 5 of the planet pinions and sun gear. Part of this lubricant also serves to lubricate thebearings of the planet gears 28 in the manner described with'reference to planets 48 to 5I. All excess lubricant is ythrown from the cage through pe- 10 ripheral apertures 68 into housing I1 and returned to the reservoir through an aperture 69 in plate I3. A complete lubricating circuit is. thus provided so thatA proper lubrication of all the partsis assured, the cage 3| acting as a 15I centrifugal pump. With the parts in motion, the oil level in .compartment 59 is at least up to the top of aperture 68.

The `transmission line between driven shaft 28 'and the vehicle wheels, assuming the mech- 20 anism to be applied to a vehicle drive, shouldv include a clutch and reverse gearing. In Figure 1 I have shown a one way or overrunning clutch and reverse gearing disposed in the lubricant compartment 59. 25 A driven shaft 10, Figure l, is journaled in a ball bearing assembly 1I supported in an opening in the rear wall of compartment 59, the

lforward end of shaft' 10 being reduced and journaled in a bore in the rear end of shaft 28. The rearend of shaft 28 has splined thereon a gear 12 provided with two diagonal bores 13, 1 4 intersecting the axis of the gear. The shaft is providedl with a diametrical bore in the ends of which'are slidable piston elements 15 and 16 35 urged apart by a strong compression spring 11. The outer reducedvends of the piston project in the inner ends of bores 13 and 14 and bear against thesinclined walls thereof, so that the gear is normally held in the position shown wherein the left hand edges of the inner ends of 'bores 13rand 14 bear against the sides of the reduced piston ends.

Splined on the end of shaft 18 is a clutch co1- lar 18 provided with laterally projecting teeth 45 19 and 88, the teeth 19 'being adapted to engage teeth 8l on gear 12. Freely rotatableon shaft 18 immediately to the' rear of clutch collar 18 is a. gear 82 provided with teeth 83 adapted to be engaged by teeth 88 of the clutch collar. 50

Gear 12 and clutch collar 18 are provided-with registering annular grooves concentric with the axis of the shafts and in these grooves -is disposed a helical spring 84. Similarly th'e clutch collar 18 and gear 82 are provided with regis- 55 tering annular grooyes in which is disposed a helical spring 85. Finally gear 12 is provided with teeth vnotfshown adapted ,to engage ,teeth 31 formedin the end oi' sleeve 31. w

Slidabiy supported in the cover 88 of com- 60 partment` 59 in parallelrelation to shaft 18 is a rod 81 having a shipper finger 88 engaged in 'an annular groove 89 formed in the clutch'collar. A lever 98 has a fork endengaging the angular end of rod 81 so that swinging of the lever im- 65 parts longitudinal movement .to rbd 81 and through finger 88 to the clutch collar.

Gear 12 engages' an idler gear 9| which, in turn, .engages a gear 92 fixed through a sleeve.' 93 to a gear 94, the latter engaging gear 82. 70

As shown in Figure 1, the parts are in neutral position so that while shaft 28 may be rotated, no torque is exerted on shaft 10. Through slight movement of the shipper nger to the left, the end of spring 84 is caught or jammed in thef somewhat reduced end of the annular groove of gear '|2, whereby the spring in expanding provides a one way driving connection between gear 12 and the clutch collar so that shaft 10 rotates with shaft 2li. 'I'his connection is broken Whenever shaft 10 overtakes shaft 20.

If positive drive between shaft 20 and shaft 10 is desired, the clutch collar is moved further to the left so that teeth 19 are brought into engagement with teeth 8|.

In both the free wheeling and locked positions of the parts the piston elements 15 and 18 have restrained gear- 12 against movement to the left. Further movement of the clutch collar, however, compresses spring 11 and brings gear 12 into engagement ,with teeth 31 and in this position of the parts'a positive direct drive is obtained from shaft I3 to shaft 10 so that the drive isexactly the same as obtained in high gear with the conventional transmission.

Upon movement of the clutch collar 18 to the right from therposition shown a free wheeling reverse drive connection is obtained through the helical clutch spring 35, the drive being through gears 12, 9|, 92, ill, and 82 and clutch collar 18 so that shaft 10 is driven in reverse direction. Further movement of the clutch collar to the right results in the engagement ofwteeth 80 with teeth 83 so that free wheeling is eliminated.

It will be understood that suitable detent means' may be provided for deilning the various positions ofthe clutch collar and holding Y the same therein. It should also be mentioned that since centrifugal force varies as the square of the speed, the driving torqueis very small at cranking and even idling speeds of the motor so that it is perfectly practical to start and idle the motor with the clutch means in engagement. It will also be understood that any suitable clutch means other than those shown and defscribed may be used without departlu'efrom the invention.

'I'he centrifugal tordus converter specincally described herein is merely illustrative ofA a-type whose torque loutput increases during acceleration and maintains an increased value at any maintained increased speed. It is 'again emphasized that the present invention is not necessarily limited to an organization including a,

converter of rotary or centrifugal type, a centrifugal converter having been chosen forpurposes of illustration in view of its ready adaptability and compactness. `A centrifugal converter, such as has been described, has a desirable predominating characteristic in that iis torque output is proportional to the square of its speed of rotation. There are-other usable conbut satisfactory, characteristics in this respect.. V

'Ihe described torque converter may be easily p modified to include an ogerrunning clutch when such provision is desirable. In order to develop" high starting and torques at a minimum of speed for given size and weight, I may use suchY a 'clutch with the weighted gears associated with theirsun gear in like phase.

Inl Figure 6, I have shown a manner in which an overrunning clutch may be added in ap' paratus hereinbefore described.` According to this figure the sun gear 58a is revoluble on a hubportion 58o keyed on shaft, rollers 58e being interposed between the two parts so .that

a camand roller one way forward driving clutch isprovided.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5,- reference numeral lill designates a nxed casing. reference numeral III a drive shaft and reference numeral |02acoaxialdrivenshaft,thelatterhavinga forward reduced extremity |33 iournaled in an s axial bore in the end of the drive shaft.` The shafts are provided with coaxial lubricating ducts |04 and |35, these being intersected by the diametrical distributing ducts I and |l1 in shaft |02. i

Aspiderordisc |33 fixedonshaft carries a number of planet gears |30 which are in engagement with an orbit gear ||I and sun gear 'Ihe orbit gear is secured within one 'en of a' preferably cylindrical housing or cage I the housing at its other end having an integral transverse wall or web portion ||3with a cen trai hub IM keyed on shaft |02. l

Thesungear isinthefor'mofaringsear rivetedas at |I3 to an'annular carrier bodyao I6 so that a unit construction is afforded which is mounted on shaft |02 through the anti-friction bearing assemblies ||1. Annulus III earries a series of tubular journal members ||3 arranged on a circle concentric with the shafts. 25 Each journal member lil is ilxed at one end` in a receiving aperture in annulus and at its other end in a ring Ils.- The Journal members ||3 are equi-distantly spaced about shaft |23 and each carries, 30 through the intermediary of needle rollers |23. a pinion |2I. Each pinion carries eccentric weights |22 and engages with asun gear |23 formed on a hub |24 which has a rotary'bearying \on shaft |02 through antifriction rollers35 'I'he ried by the driven Velement of the clutch are not subjected to voscillatory travel with the clutch drive element |25 of the oscillang system. In the reverse arrangement, that is, with the rollers in the oscillating system, it sometime occurs that the high frequency and inertia becomes so great that they cannot be kept in intimate contact withtheir cooperating surfaces with consequent loss in motion and 'powerand occur- 745v yacidez-1e Y l v5 rence of severe shockl strainawhen the rollers reach a position where the power impulse takes hold of the load. In the preferred arrangement, as above fdesscribed, the rollers are not 5 subjected to oscillatory travel and therefore,

are easily controlled.'

Another favorablefeature is the relatively large circumference of the driving and driven clutch elements V|25 and |26,th.is enabling alarge number of rollers |29 to be use'd and reducing strain on the parts.

The distributing duct |06 supplies lubricant to bearings and through the forward one to the planet pinions |09 and their associated gears. I Sun gear |23 has aligned radial vducts |23a and |2311 aligned with duct |01 so that the teeth of sun gear |23 and of the planet pinions |2| are lubricated. The planet gears |2'| have radial ducts as at |2|a which are adapted lto come into periodic `register with ducts |23a and |23!) so that lubricant will be supplied to Abearings |20. Any suitable bearings may be provided for shaft |0|. I have shown in Figure -4 a ball bearing assembly |02' mounted in the 25 end wall |00 of housing |00 and supportingA the forward portion of shaft |02.

Figure 7 shows the form of the curve described by the center of gravity ofA a weight when the weightedl gear carrier vis runningand the sun gear is at standstill.`

For each of an infinite number of ratios through which the transmission operates over` puted. For example, considerv any point a, on

the curve. The velocityat this point may be determined by measurement of the curve between equal angular distances of carrier rotation to each side of the point representingequal and known periods of time in accordance with the scale on which the curve is drawn'. The center of curvature is found at i. fIhe radius of curvature is ia. 'I'he centrifugal force com- 50 puted from the above may be shown in the vforce diagram as ab. The weight is also subject to an acceleration force of positive or negative value along the curve. This acceleration may be determined by making proper meas- 55 urements and the force which corresponds with the same computed an@ plotted as .ac. The

combination of these forces is represented by ad,v thediagonalof the parallelogram. The resulting torque is a product of this force ad times its moment arm oh, being the vertical distance from center o to the line of the force. By repeating the above series of measurements and computations for different points -along -the curve, the complete performance throughout thecycle may be determined. Similar plots and calculations may be. made for anyspeed ratio sothat an accurate predetermination mayV be madeof the physical performance characteristics of any design under any service. condition. Considering the conditionwiththe sun gear stationary and the planet gear center traveling in clockwise directionaround the same, the force ad may be resolved into two components, one :of which acts directly through the planet gear center. 'Ihis becomes ae. The other comj ponent is af. The torque resulting from the product of af times oa is equal to that previously determined as4 the product of oh times ad. This'component ae applies a load `by way of the center o upon the drive shaft. This gives, 5

by reaction, an increased' driving torque applied byway of the orbit gear of thedifierential to the load during the time when the weights are storing up energy trom. the engine.

During the positive, load driving, half-cycle l0 the same diagram applies considering the rotation as anti-clockwise instead'of clockwise. The force ae tends to accelerate point o and thereby the drive shaft resulting'in a decreased drive by way of orbit gearof the diiferential. Figurel l5 8 shows the result of calculation by the above described method in a complete cycle of performance for dierent conditions 'of service. Diagram A is for the condition described in detail above. Curve i represents Vthe weight forces 20 and curve. 1c represents the corresponding reactive drive by wayl of the orbit gear of' the dife ferential. If the combined forces are not sufficient to overcome the load resistance the entire energy stored in theweights during the outer'25 cycle returns tothe carrier and engineduring the inward cycle. If the load is being driven at vreduced ratio that portion of such stored '4 energy represented by the fraction, load speed divided by engine speed, is delivered to the load. 30 The remainder returns, as described above, to they drive shaft. l

When the operation of an'overrunning clutch is considered and similar plots made, the conditions represented at diagram B, Figure 8, ap- 35 ply, l showing the cycle of weight reactions and m the resulting orbit gear reactionson vthe load. The narrower and sharper reverse wave below the line represents a period during which the wave forces are disconnected and them) broader wave above the line represents the working stroke'. The amount of reverse l'slip at the overrunning clutch and the angle of retardation may be controlled by varying the weight or mass of part |25, Figure 4 to suit'perform- 45 ance specications which may be set up in connection with any problem met. This will result in more or less distortion between the positive and negative waves. lDiagram B, Figure 8,

is presented only as an example. ,50

As direct drive ratio is approached, varying I cycles of performance are passed through, as suggested in diagram C, Figure 8, at n, p-and q in which gradual extension of 'time or broadening of the wave until cyclic action ceases and 55 continuous direct drive or lock-in results as in-l dicated by q.

Once-this direct drive or lock-in condition is attained it will be sustained until either reduction in speed orincrease in load results in a 60 load torque greater thanv can be sustained by the wave reaction at the existing speed.'

It will be understood that the disclosure here-v in is merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and not restrictive. I do not limit'65 myself as to specific type' of torque converter nor als to other details of form and' arrangement except as in the following'claims.

` I claim:-

1. Means for transmitting rotary motion from 7o mining-the divided driveto the driven shaft', '15 A A necting the sunY gear and driven shaft, said driving train including a centrifugal automatically variable torque speed converter of a type whose output increases during acceleration and maintains an increased value at any maintained. increasedspeedandalsoincludingaterminal gear on lthe driven shaft separate from the differential constitutedby said planet pinions and said sun 'and orbitgears.'

3. Means for transmitting rotary motion from a drive to a driven shaft, said means comprising planet plnionsjmou'nted in connection with ,the drive shaft, a orbit gear engaging the' pinions and in positive driving connection with the driven shaft, 'a sun gear engaged with the pinlons, a rotary body connected to the s ungear, eccentrically weighted planet pi'riiona carried by said bodypanda gear in driving con-` nection with the driven shaft and engaged lwthe last named pinions. l i

4. -Means for transmitting rotary motion from' a drive to an aligned driven shaft, said means comprising a housing into which the adjacent shaft, ends project, the housing being rotatable on an axis coincident with that of the drafts, a planet carrier. on the end of the drive shaft within thehousing, planet pinions on said carrier,asungearfixedtothehousinganden Begins the planet pinions. an orbit gear within the housing engaging the planet pinions' and in driving connection with the driven shaft,

a second gear within the housing indriving connection with thesdriven shaft Tand eccentrically weighted planet. pinions Journaled in the housing and said second gear.

5. Meansefor transmitting rotary motion from a. drive'toacoaxialdrivenshaftsaidmeans comprising a member rotatable on an axis coincidentwlththeaxisofsaidshafnmt carrier driven by the drive shaft, planet pinions onsa'id carrier, a'sungear-indrivingconncc-` 'tion with said'rnemberandengagingtheplanetA piniona anorbitgearngagingtheplanetpinlions and in driving connection with the driven shaft, a secondgear in driving connection with the driven ishaft, and eccentrlcally weighted planetpinionsrotatablycarriedbysaidriiernlzcer -and gear.

6. Means for transmitting rotary motion from 'a drive to a driven shaft, said means comprisingmutually reactive gearing trains between the shafts. one of'said trains including a centrifugal automatically variable torque speed converter of a type whose torque output increases during. acceleration and maintains anincreased value at any maintained increased speed.. said trains constituting self-contained means andeaentrninexerungadriesorc' on the driven shaft, thegearing tuin which includes the converter having a single connectionwith the drive shaft, vsaid lastlnamed gear- 7; Means for transmitting rotary motion from .a drive to a driven shaft, said means comprising lo a differential gearing assembly receiving the drive and dividing it into two paths terminating at the driven shaft, a centrifugal automatically variable torque speed converter of a type whose torque -output increases during acceleration and 15 maintains lan increased value at any maintained increased speed. POwer transmitted along one of said paths acting directlyvon the driven shaft in the forward direction, said converter being interposed for power inputand output in the" other 20 of said paths, said other of said paths including a terminal gear exclusive as an entity from said differential gearing assembly and by means of which the converter outputis delivered to' the driven shaft in the forward direction, said diiferg5, .ential gearing ly functioning `toincrease thespeedoftheconverterwhenanyspeed'differentialj of the shafts exists in favor ofthe drive shaft. a i

8. Meansfortransmittingrotarymotionfromao a drive to a driven shaft, said means comprisingagearingtrainincludingadrivegearonthe' drive shaft and a driven gear on thedriven shaft and between said gears an automatically variable torquespeed converter of a type whose torqueas voutput increases during acceleration and maintainsanincreasedvalueatanymaintained increased speed, the converter having an operativeconnection with said drive' shaft through said drive gear to receive its drive 'therefrom' and o having an operative connection with the driven shaft through said driven gear, the path between said operative connections -being exclusive of connection with the drive shaft with the excep-Y tion or the said connection through said drive gear, 'and automatically acting means for increasing of the converter whenany speed differential oi'- the vs hafts exists in favor of the drive shaft, the converter output being deliveredtosaiddrivengearinforwarddrlving w dh'ection.

9. Means for transmitting rotary motion froma drive to a driven shaft, said means'comprising 'a gearingrain inoludinga drive'gear on thedrlve shaft'and a driven gear on the drive'n shaftand Abetween said gears a rotary automaticallv variable torquespeed converter of a type whose torque output during acceleration and maintains an-increased value atfany maintained increased speed, the converter havw ing an operative connection with said drive shaft 'through said drive gear to receive its drive therefrom and having an operative connection 'with the driven shaft through -salddrivengean 9 the path between-saidoper'ative connections be ingmclusive of connection with the drive shaft with the 'exception of the said .connection throngh'said drive gean'and automatically acting means for increasing the speed; of the converter-"over thatof' thedrive shaft when any speed differential ofthe shafts exists in favor of the drive shaft, the converter-output being delivered tosaid drivenlgear inforward driving marsans rotary motion -1s from a drive to a driven shaft, said means come prising diiferentialv gearing and a' rotary auto- -matic torque speedconverter so related to the differential gearing that when the speed of the 'drive shaft is greater than that of the driven shaft the converter is rotated at a higher speed than that of the drive shaft, said converter being of the type whose torque output increases lduring acceleration and maintains an increased' value at any maintained increased speed, and being interposed in a .transmission linewhich extends from an original connection Awith said differential gearing to a terminal connection" with.' the driven shaft, which terminal connection is separate from'said differential gearing, the converter and differential gearing tending to equalize the speeds of the two shafts and the converter and maintain such) equalization when during'acceleration and maintains an increased value vat 'any maintained increased speed, said differential beingl so arranged as to increase the speed of the"torque converter coincident with any reduction in speed of the driven shaft 'relavtive to that of the drive shaft.

12. Means for transmitting rotary motion from a drive to a driven shaft, said means coinprising an automatically variable'torque speed converter of a type whose torque output in creases during acceleration and maintaining an increased vvalue at any maintained increased speedya gearing train whereby said converter receives itsinput from the drive shaft and delivers its output to the driven shaft, and another gearing train between the drive and driven shafts exclusive of the first gearing train with the-exception of an initial/element which is also the initial element of said rst gearing train, said gearing trainsbeing mutually reactive through said' common element to cause the converter 4to be driven at increased speed coincident with the occurrence of `any speed differential of the shafts in favor of the driveshaft.

13. Means'for transmitting rotary motion from a drive to a driven shaft, said means comprising a differential assembly including pinions carried by the drive shaft for revolution therewith and rotation about their own axes and a pair of gears in coaxial relation with said drive shaft and engaging said pinions, one ofsaid gears being in positive driving connectionywithjthe driven shaft,a torque converter of a type whose torque output increases during acceleration and maintains an increasedV value -at any maintained increased said converter being driven from? the other'of said gears, and a gear on the driven shaft receiving the converter output.'

14. Means for transmitting rotary motion from a' drive to a driven shaft, said means comprising a. differential assembly including pinions carried by the drive shaft for revolution therewith'anq rotation about their own axes anda pair of gears in coaxial relation with said drive shaft and engaging said pinions, one of said gears being mounted on the driven shaft in driving relation thereto, a rotaryl body driven by the other` of said gears, eccentrically weighted jected weights'A carried by said body and inuplanet pinions carried by said body, and a geary on the driven shaft in driving relation thereto and engaged by said planetv pinions.

` 15. Means for transmitting rotary motion from a drive to a driven shaft, said means comprising -5 planet pinions mounted in connection with the -drive shaft, an orbit gear engaging the pinions andi in positive driving connection with the driven shaft, a sun gear engaging the pinions, and a driving train connecting the sun\gear and 10 driven shaft. Said' driving train including an automatically variable torque speed converter of a type whose output increases during acceler ation sind maintains, an increased value at any maintained increased speedand also including 1 increased speed, said trains constituting self--v contained transmission means'and each train exerting a driving effort on the driven shaft,

Athe gearing train which includes the converterl having a single' connection with the drive shaft, 30

said last named gearing train extending from said single connection with the drive shaft to a terminal connection with' the driven shaft that is separate fromsaid single connection, said trains including means .forincreasing the speed of the converter coincident with .any reduction in speed vof the driven shaft relative to that of thedriveshaft.

17. Means vfor transmitting' rotary motion v from'a drive to a driven shaft, said means comprising, a differential gearing. assembly receivthe drive and dividing `it,two connections constituting self-contained transmission .means for transmitting the divided drive to the driven shaft.' and an automatically variable torque speed converter included in one of said connecI-f tions, said converter comprising a rotary body, pinions rotatably canied by v'said body and geared to the ldriven shaft, centrifugallyl proencing said pinions, and an overrunning clutch interposed in the line vof drive between `said pinions and said driven shaft.

18. Means for transmitting rotary motion from a. drive to a driven shaft, said means comprising planet pinions mounted`v in connection with the drive shaft, an orbit gear engaging the pinions and in positive driving connection with." the driven shaft, a'su'n gear engaged with the.

pinions, arotary body connected to the sun gear,f

eccentrically weighted planet pinions carried by said body, and a gearengaged by the last named pinions and'having a driving connection with the driven shaft, said last named driving con- -A nection including an overrunnng clutch. 19. Means for transmitting rotary motion, from a drive to a driven shaft, said means comprising a housing in driving connection 'at one end with the driven shaft, an orbit gear in driv ing connection with the other end of said'housf 70 ing, planetpinions engaging said orbit gear, a carrier for said pinions lin driven connection with the drive shaft, a sun gear in' rotary rela.- tion to the shafts andi housing, saidsun gear engaging saidpinions'a. body within said housi- 75 oentrically weighted planet pinions carried by said body, a sun gear in said housing and-engaging said weighted pinions, and an overrunning,r clutch in the line of drive between said last named sun gear and the driven shaft.

20. Means for transmitting rotary motion from a drive to a coaxial driven shaft, said means comprising a member rotatable on an axis coincident with the axis of said shafts, a."

planet carrier driven by the drive shaft, planet pinions on said carrier, a sun gear in driving connection with said member and engaging the planet pinions. an orbit gear engaging the planet pinions vand in driving connection with the drivenshaft, a second gear having a driving con'- nection with the driven shaft, eccentrically weighted planet pinions rotatably carried by said member and engaging said second gear, said: last named driving connection including an overrunning clutch.

21. Means for transmittingv rotary motion from a drive to a driven shaft, said means comprising a differential assembly including pinions carried by the drive shaft for revolution therewith and rotation about their own axes and a pairof gears in coaxial relation with said drive shaft and engaging said pinions, one, of said gears beingmounted on the driven shaft in driving relation thereto, a rotary body driven by the other of said gears, eccentrically weighted planet pinions carried by said body, a gear on the axis of the driven shaft engaged by said weighted pinions, and an overrunning clutch between said last named gear andsaid driven shaft.

22. Means for transmitting rotary motion from a drive to a driven shaft, said means corri--l prising a dierential gearing assembly receiving the drive and `dividing it, two connections constituting self-contained transmission means for transmitting the divided drive to the driven shaft, and an automatically variableftorque speed converter includedin one of said connections, said converter comprising a rotary body, pinions rotatably vcarried by said body and geared to 'the driven shaft, centrifugally projected weights carried by said body and iniiuencing said pinions, all of said weights beingin equi-phase 4relation with respect to each other, and an overrunning clutch interposed in the line of drive between said. pinions and said driven 4 shaft., I A

23. Means for transmitting rotaryl motion from a drive to a `driven shaft, said means comprising planet pinions mounted in connection with the drive shaft, an orbit gear engaging the v pinions and in positive driving connection with the driven shaft, a sun gear engaged. with the pinions, a rotary body connected to the sun gear,

ecoentrically weighted planet pinions carried by said body, said weighted pinions being in equiphasev relation with respect to each other, and a gear engaged by the last named pinions and having a driving connection with the driven shaft, said last named driving connection including anoverrunning clutch. Y i 24. Means for transmitting rotary motion from a drive to an aligned driven shaft, said means comprising a cylindrical housing arranged Vconcentrically with said shafts and at one end a transverse webportion mounted on and in driving connection with the driven shaft, an orbit gear in driving connection with the other 'end of said housing, planet pinions said orbit gear. a carrier for said pinions in driven connection with the drive shaft. a sun gear rotaryfrelative to the shafts and housing and engaging said pinions, a body within said housing in driven connection with saidsun` gear, eccentrically weighted planet pinions 'carried by 5 said body, a sun gear rotary on the axis of said shafts and engaging said weighted pinions and maintaining the latter in equi-phase relation with lrespect to each other, and an overrunning clutch in the line of drive between said last 10- named sun gear and the driven shaft.

25. Means for transmitting rotary motion from a drive to a coaxial drivenv shaft, said means comprising a member rotatable -on an axis coincident withtne axis of said shafts, s 15 planet carrier driven by the drive shaft, planet pinions. on said carrier, a sun gear in driving connection with said member `and @engaging theA planet pinions, an orbit gear engaging the planet pinions andin driving connection with the driven 20 shaft, a second gear having a driving connection with the driven shaft. eccentrically weighted planet pinions rotatably carried by said member and engaging said second gear, said weighted e pinions being in equi-phase relation with respect 25 to each other, said last named driving connection including an overrunning c1tch. 26. Means for transmitting rotary motion v from` a drive to a driven shaft, said means comprising a differential assembly including pinions 30 carried by the drive shaft for revoluton -therewith and rotation about their own axes and a pair of gears in coaxial relation with said drive shaft and engaging said pinions, one of said gears being mounted onthe driven shaft in 35 relation thereto, a rotary body driven by the other of said gears, eccentrically weighted planet pinions carried by said body, a gearV on the driven shaft in driving relation thereto and engaged by said planet pinions, said weighted pinions being in equi-phase relation with respect to each other, and-.an overrunning clutch between said last named gear and said driven y shaft.

27. Means for transmitting rotary motion from a drive to a driven shaft, said means comprising mutually ,reactive v gearing trains between the shafts, one of said trains including a centrifugal .automatically variable torque speed converter of Aa type embodying a system developing positiveand negative impulses and whosejtorque output increases during acceleration and maintains an increased value at any maintained increased speed.. said trains constituting self-contained transmission means and each train exerting a driving effort 'on .the ldriven shaft; train which includes theA converter having a single connection with the drive shaft, said last l named gearing train extending from ssid'single connection with the drive shaft to a terminal w' connection with the driven shaft, which terminal connection is separate'from said single connection, the mutually reactive effect'` of said trains causing an. increase in they speed Vof .the converter when any speed diiferentialvof 'the shafts 6s, .exists vin favor .of the drive shaft, and an over-rv running clutch arranged-fin said gearing. train which includes the converter to absorb negative` impulsesof said system. r 1

28. Means for transmitting rotaryv motion rfrom a'drive to a driven shaft, said means comprising a differential gearing assembly adjacent to the drive shaftreoeiving and Vdividing the drive into separate paths each terminating in a separate element on the driven shaft. one of the amas-ze paths including an automatic torque speed converter of a type including a system developing positive and negative impulses and whose torque output increases during acceleration and maintains an increased value at any maintained increased speed, said diierential being so arranged as to increase the speed of the torque converter coincident .with any reduction in speed of thedriven shaft relative to that of the drive shaft, and an overrunm'ng clutch arranged in the path whichl includes the converter to absorb negative impulses of said system. 29. Means for transmitting rotary motion from a drive to a driven shaft, said means comprising a differential gearing assembly adjacent the drive shaft receiving and dividing the drivev into separate paths,v each terminating on the driven shaft, one of the paths including a torque speed converter of a type whose torque capacity increases during acceleration and maintains an increased value at any -maintained increased speed, said one of the paths from its starting point at the differential beingv exclusive o! turther connection with the drive shaft and the differential gearing assembly, said diierential being so arranged as to increasa the speed of the torque converter coincident with any reduction in speed of .the driven shaft relative to that of the drive shaft.

30. Means for transmitting rotary motion from a drive to a driven shaft. said means comprising associated sun, planet and orbit gears, a carrier for the planet gearing on said drive shaft, the orbit gear being in driving connection with the driven shaft, a torque speed 'converter of a type whose torque capacity increases during 'acceleration and maintains an increased value at any maintained increased speed, a gearing train including said torque converter connecting said sun gear and said driven shaft, said gearing train from its starting point at the sun gearbeing exclusive of further connection with 20 said gears and said drive shaft..

- EDWARD T. SHAW. 

